By: Spencer Neff
August 16, 2024
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to action following three weeks off. This weekend, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 begins a stretch run of four races in three weekends before the September 15 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway to end the year.
Although the series has been off since last month, there are a number of stories to discuss.
Headlines
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou holds a 49-point lead over Team Penske’s Will Power in the standings as each driver looks for their third INDYCAR Championship.
Andretti Global’s Colton Herta dominated in Toronto for his first win since 2022 in the series’ last race. He and Palou go into the weekend at the 1.25-mile Worldwide Technology Raceway in search of their first INDYCAR win on an oval.
Power, who earned victory in the series’ last race on an oval at Iowa on July 14. Power’s teammates Josef Newgarden (Indianapolis 500) and Scott McLaughlin (Iowa Race 1) won the first two oval events.
Scott Dixon, who won from 15th starting position last year, is the only driver outside of Team Penske to win on an oval since the beginning of last year.
Also of note, Conor Daly will replace Agustin Canapino at Juncos Hollinger Racing for the remainder of 2024. Canapino and the team mutually agreed to part ways and Canapino is racing in his native Argentina.
“I am extremely pleased to reunite with Ricardo Juncos after our success together in the Road To Indy!,” Daly exclaimed upon reuniting with his 2010 Star Mazda (now USFPro 2000 Championship Car Owner.
Ricardo took a chance on me when I was young and it made a huge difference in my career. There are a lot of people on this team that I’ve worked with before and I that gives me a lot of confidence. What Brad Hollinger and Ricardo have built here is extremely impressive in a short amount of time and I consider myself very lucky to get to compete for the rest of the season and earn the necessary points for this #78 Chevrolet. There are a lot of partners in this effort and I appreciate the support behind me to get back in the race seat.”
Daly will make his third NTT INDYCAR start of 2024 on Saturday.
“Having Conor Daly back in a JHR car after many years is like a flashback to some great memories, as we achieved a lot together,” Team Co-Owner Ricardo Juncos added.
Now it’s time to focus on what’s ahead and aim for strong results in the rest of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.”
Also of note, Alexander Rossi will return to the No. 7 Arrow McLaren entry after missing the previous race with a broken right thumb.
Bommarito Automotive Group 500presented by Axalta and Valvoline Fast Facts
Race weekend: Friday, Aug. 16 – Saturday, Aug. 17
Track: World Wide Technology Raceway, a 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Illinois
Race distance:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline 260 laps / 325 miles
INDY NXT by Firestone
OUTFRONT Showdown 75 laps / 93.75 miles
Hybrid energy deployment parameters:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 120 kilojoules (kJ) per lap.
Firestone tire allotment:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Eight sets for use through the doubleheader weekend.
INDY NXT by Firestone
Two new sets to be used during the event weekend.
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Event website: http://www.wwtraceway.com/
INDYCAR website: http://www.IndyCar.com
2023 race winners:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
INDY NXT by Firestone
Christian Rasmussen (No. 6 HMD Motorsports)
2023 NTT P1 Award winner: Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team PenskeChevrolet), 49.1936 seconds, 182.951 mph (two laps)
2023 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winner: Christian Rasmussen (No. 6 HMD Motorsports),field set by points after qualifying was rained out
One-lap qualifying lap record:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Will Power, 23.7206, 189.709 mph, Aug. 25. 2017
INDY NXT by Firestone
Juan Piedrahita, 27.8890, 161.354 mph, Aug. 26, 2017
USA Network race telecast: Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta andValvoline, 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 17, USA Network (live). Kevin Lee is the play-by-playannouncer for NBC’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Belland James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry and Dillon Welch are the pit reporters.
Peacock Live Streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying willstream live on Peacock, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product, while USA Network’srace telecast of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline will besimulcast on the streaming service. The INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown will bestreamed on Peacock, with practice and qualifying being shown on INDYCAR LIVE.
INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside analyst DaveyHamilton. Nick Yeoman is the turn announcer. Jake Query and Michael Young are the pitreporters. The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline (6 p.m. ETSaturday), the INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown (3:50 p.m. ET Saturday) and allNTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone practices and qualifying sessions air live onnetwork affiliates, SiriusXM 218, racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App powered byNTT DATA.
At-track schedule (all times local):
FRIDAY, AUG. 16
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, Peacock
2:15-3 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, INDYCAR LIVE
3:20 p.m. – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 NTT P1 Award qualifying (single car/cumulativetime of two laps), Peacock
5:45 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown qualifying (single car/cumulativetime of two laps), INDYCAR LIVE
6:45-7:15 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES high-line session (two groups/15 minutes each),Peacock
7:30-8:30 p.m. –NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, Peacock
SATURDAY, AUG. 17
3 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown “Drivers Start Your Engines”
3:05 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown (75 laps / 93.75 miles)
5 p.m. – USA Network on air
5:25 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
5:30 p.m. – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline (260 laps/325miles), USA Network (Live)
Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 